Speaking on Tom Joyner and Sybil Wilkes's radio show, Obama explained that the movie provoked an emotional reaction in him.

"I did see The Butler, and I did tear up," Us Weekly quotes him as saying. "I teared up just thinking about not just the butlers who have worked here in the White House, but an entire generation of people who were talented and skilled, but because of Jim Crow, because of discrimination, there was only so far they could go.

"And yet, with dignity and tenacity, they got up and worked every single day, and put up with a whole lot of mess because they hoped for something better for their kids."

Obama picked out Cuba Gooding Jr for particular praise, adding: "All of the acting was terrific, and I thought Forest Whitaker was wonderful. And Oprah, my girl, she can act. She's just a wonderful actress."

He also praised the current White House staff, saying that they "could not have been kinder to us and warmer to us" when the First Family arrived at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

"And part of it, I suspect, is they look at Malia and Sasha and they say, 'Well, this looks like my grandbaby, or this looks like my daughter'," he said. "And I think for them to have a sense that we've come that far was a powerful moment for them, and certainly a powerful moment for us. We love them to death. They look after us just wonderfully."